More color freshness

Maintaining Color Freshness

When I first began painting in the 1980s, I was frequently frustrated by a dullness in my painting. Colors were muted; lacking in brightness and energy.  Over the years, I began to learn tips from experienced painters about color freshness. In one workshop with Eric Weigardt, Ocean Park WA, Eric suggested that I tilt my palette so that the residual wash colors in the mixing areas flowed down to the bottom edge of the palette, keeping them away from the larger mixing area; and, making it easier and faster to pick up with a paper towel. The second tip, gleaned from reading Charles Reid and Skip Lawrence, is to apply the brighter mid values to white paper--make sure you reserve white paper for them as they will be muted when applied over other colors, often creating dull grays.  A third tip is to keep the residual pigment tracking from other pigment wells from accumulating on top of other colors--simply wipe off the top scum layer with a damp paper towel.  Keep painting. RK